Matters of opinion that enables me to understand or make some sense of my country- Malaysia

Posts tagged ‘tun razak’

Quite many may not have noticed, – or it didn’t cross their minds to observe –

just because it was the highly endearing and respected Tun Siti Hasmah who said it -very briefly.

Simply because Tun Siti Hasmah is such a well loved gentle grand-matronly soul in the psyche of Malaysians -that in the few seconds that transpired ,

When Tun M and Tun Siti Hasmah came back from the Umrah, .

Particularly Tun Siti Hasmah sounding very concerned in her voice referring to Najib..

Quoting her brief remark…

“Saya berdoa depan Kaabah untul keselamatan bagi semua orang

Saya sebagai Ibu..Saya juga doakan untuk Najib pun

Supaya dia jangan membuat sesuatu yang tidak baik bagi Agama kita.”

(Lets consider Tun Siti Hasmah voicing her concern from a perspective of a concerned Mother /Grandmother or simply a woman really worried about the well being of her close friends and family,-in light of whats happening in the political arena where her Husband is directly leading the charge in trying to dislodge the most powerful man in the country-(when they are at a golden age where most will just take it easy and do flower nursery or farming etc)

And indirectly her children , who are high profile personalities in their own right .. may get nudged or drawn in to the political battle royale ,not to mention ,it may involve confronting close family friends/associates.

Worry may be too mild a word to describe how she may be feeling.!

Something’s gotta give, a winner means there will be a loser, and in the process , there will be the bruised/wounded-

Somebody may get hurt but now the ones confronting each other are ,on one side is Family (Tun M) and on the other Friends /Acquaintances She has known for decades..(Najib) who is the son of someone they had a bond with Decades ago.. (Tun Razak)

Tough spot to be in between !

In a nutshell, She said above…

I prayed in front of the Kaabah for the the safety (well being) for Every one!

I – As a Mother—I included a prayer for Najib.

That he may refrain from doing something that is not good in our Faith(Religion)

Its so noticeable the seriously genuine sense of worry she expresses about Najib.,and a certain sense of anxiety in the tone of her voice – as she tries to retain her composure but yet ,if one pays attention.. the saddened emotional tinge to her voice can be sensed -revealing her worry or anxiety..as she speaks about Najib,

In a tone that is reminiscient of what Mothers usually use- when they talk about their own wayward children- that sounds much like a very concerned mother whose worried that their child

“may have already done something wrong -but might be about to do another wrong and make things worst .”

A situation that may get most Mothers or parents so anxious and even frantic with worry.!.

Wonder if Tun Siti Hasmah in this instance is feeling that way about Najib.?.

Being presumptious here a bit –perhaps she sees herself as a God-Mom to Najib besides his real mom. Tun Rahah Noah..She probably was already acquainted with Najib when he was in his diapers. and She feels a certain instinctive maternal responsibility towards him.

And as with all Mothers..and the protective maternal instinct ,that will stand by their children/charges –

and forgive whatever transgressions regardless – without conditions..makes no difference..whether its a God son or adopted or their own..( An unconditional forgiveness that is something that even Fathers cannot do ! )

Tun Dr Siti Hasmah. who afterall probably watched Najib grow up, family friends with the Razaks-and perhaps have a close kinship / relationship with Tun Rahah..

Wonder how close were the Razaks and Mahathirs in the early years,especially the spouses , Tun Siti Hasmah and Tun Rahah..when their husbands were young turks and comrades-in-arms carving out their niche in Malaysian politics.,whilst they took care of the domestic front.

Between the 2 men in a common political struggle,there is bound to be a bond between them that includes their spouses and the protective paternal / maternal sense extended to their children.

(Just being presumptious and mulling the above !)

On a more thought provoking stream

Gaging from Tun Siti Hasmah overall body language and tone of voice.

Is there something more alarming that Tun Siti Hasmah knows about that is nor revealed.?

That lovely woman whose demeanour or aura genuinely projects a kind – warm and caring personality ..says out openly her worry about Najib – is in itself a cause for concern and contemplation.

For if there is something that we should have learned to take seriously ,it’s women’s intuition and when they make remarks that directly affects them stemming from their emotional disposition ,may be wise to listen and mull on it- if there is anything to be deciphered! Very different from reticence of men held back by pride and ego.!

And noteworthy is that Tun Siti Hasmah is not a politician . She is more known for her compassion and caring persona in public life when Tun M was PM.

She is definitely not the type who does political double speak,, She is way too elegant -dignified and noble .

A lovely kind hearted Grand-motherly soul like Tun Siti Hasmah voices out a worry – may be a good idea to take it seriously and ponder on it – for it’s without doubt genuine and sincerely from her heart.,revealing her real feelings!

Hence when she expresses concern about Najib and openly says that She earnestly “Prays for his well-being and that He will not do something drastic against His Faith.” Its food for thought.!

It prompts one to think whether , if it is based on something – some knowledge – she may be privy to -but She hope will not come to that..

Or then again – She may be actually hinting a message to Najib himself ,hoping he might be watching – Or as it turns out , is merely a genuine concern.!

But it does get one to wonder what the grounds are for the worry of Tun Siti Hasmah

Just mulling here,maybe reading too much into it and baseless afterall..nonetheless…

Viewing the video ,can’t help but notice..!

The emphasis in her tone of voice when she said… “Keselamatan…….”

Then what was noticeable also was that it seemed to pain her a little when she said

” Saya sebagai Ibu…………………”

And the whole country knows about the spate of Tun M and Najib..

Therefore , its not too unreasonable to contemplate on – Just how far will Najib go to ensure he survives the onslaught from Tun M ?

And in his slug-fest for his political self-preservation or survival…..

Will Najib duel a gentleman’s feud?

Or is he capable of really fighting dirty to fend off the attacks and launch a counter offensive?

Tun M so far seems to be focusing on mainly the financial scandals and irregularities of Najib’s premiership,and trying to avoid getting personal ,apart from references to Najib’s stepson.but then that was unavoidably questioning the source of the wealth..

Although there have been inferences to the spouse,yet it was still around the unexplained conspicuous excesses in wealth and obscene spending ..

Will PM Najib extend the same courtesy to Tun M and detractors by not getting too personal and not drag family into the scrap?

Still Tun M ‘s hint at the way the Penang UMNO vice chairman and how they dealt with him after he made a police report on 1MDB ,may be indication of what Najib may be prepared to do to fight off detractors..

An opinion piece titled Remembering Tun Razak by prominent banker Datuk Seri Nazir Razak (pic) appears to have struck a raw nerve with the First Family and their supporters – with possible dire consequences for the CIMB boss.

The consensus in the Datuk Seri Najib Razak camp is the article, which sketched the legacy of Malaysia’s second prime minister, was ill-advised and served only to provide ammunition for the Prime Minister’s opponents at a time when arrows are being fired at him and his wife from all sides.

In the article to coincide with the 38th anniversary of Tun Abdul Razak Hussein’s death, Nazir outlined the qualities that made his father a much respected figure. As the custodian of the nation’s coffers, his frugality was legendary.

On the rare occasions when his family travelled with him, Razak made sure that he paid for the expenses himself. He was also famous for his integrity and understood that he was a servant of the people whose trust must never be betrayed.

Nazir pointed out that his father was “People First”, long before the sound bite, and believed that there was a place under the Malaysian sun for every one of its citizens.

It is understood that the piece was put out to remind Malaysians of the Razak legacy and also to protect the family name.

It found favour with many in the chattering class who have grown despondent over Najib’s lacklustre performance as a prime minister and the downward drift of the country into a deep and dark abyss of religious and racial extremism.

Many considered the article timely given the roiling debate of lavish spending by the government and the seemingly cavalier attitude by ruling politicians towards hardship faced by Malaysians due to rising cost of living.

But in Putrajaya, the opinion piece was received poorly and it is no stretch of imagination to say that Nazir is persona non grata in the corridors of power.

Punitive action being bandied about range from making it clear that he does not enjoy the favour of the government to forcing him to consider his employment options.

Much of the talk could be just hyperbole, fuelled by a sense of betrayal. But what is clear is that ties between the First Family and their supporters and the banker have never been so strained.

Well-placed sources told The Malaysian Insider that there were many objections over the article and this included the lecturing tone, its timing and the motive behind it.

It was as if only Nazir was concerned about the Razak legacy, complained Team Najib. In addition, they felt that there must be a sense of loyalty to family, especially during difficult times.

And that sending a message to the PM through an opinion piece was out of order, particularly as it appeared in media not controlled by Umno.

The article dated January 14 was carried by The Malaysian Insider, The Star and Sinar Harian.

It is learnt that Najib and his younger brother have exchanged words about the opinion piece, with another piece, seen as more conciliatory, on the same issue coming out in the Umno-owned New Straits Times two days later.

Despite sniping by pro-government bloggers over the piece, Nazir is unmoved, believing that he owes a duty to his family to remind Malaysians of his father’s legacy and protect it at all cost.

If Nazir had a choice between championing his father’s good name that he inherited that his father worked so hard for and gave his life while in the service of the country and people he loved, a name Nazir will be very very proud of or see the actions of a brother who not only inherited the same name but also rose up to be in the same position in Govermnt , seemingly damaging the legacy .
i suppose he will be prompted to say something..

The late Tun Razak had many feathers in his cap ,on his shift as PM. he started the controversial NEP but under very noble design,to lift Malaysians out of poverty.(not expecting it to be hijacked by UMNO)
Made a historic visit to communist China (under challenging circumstances or political environment back then , and was welcomed hugely by Chairman Mao-significance of this trip lost on the current generation) ) opening up access or trade ,benefiting Malaysians..endearing him to all Malaysians and uniting all across the ethnic barriers in one heart. Which a grateful nation endorsed by giving Him and party an overwhelming victory in elections etc .

Najib has only inherited his father’s name but we are yet to see the magnanimous or humble qualities of the father in the son..His father hid his sickness from the public and continue to worry about the nation till his last breath..In essence , he gave his life till the last whilst still in the service of his country and fellow countrymen.

Tun Razak “served” the People and nation he led. But His son seems to expect the “reverse”. Tun Razak was loved by many because of the “ping pong” diplomacy when he visited China. His son becomes resented because of a gaff in ” kangkung” diplomacy?

Tun Razak and Najib ,irreconciliable differences in these words. Two names representing two very different personalities.that are poles apart in terms of public perception and reverence..

Tun Razak, humble ,soft spoken but strong and determined..

Najib..public perception has it that seem to be anything but those qualities.

The impression he has created in his public persona is that as being indecisiveness , disoriented , submissive like a weak pushover and bullied by the ultras and the UMNO “old men” pandering to their whims.

Which is why it is difficult to reconcile the revered name of Tun Razak in the same light . So far apart is the public perception of the father and the son , an impression held by a large proportion of Malaysians..

Lest we forget , We are Asians with a culture that emphasize on very strong family ties and patriachal values and bloodlines that goes few generations in our genes..and preservation of a family” good name at all cost.
Nizar is being a concerned “son.”

We do not need to be children of great men to feel protective if we think our father’s name is being besmirched.
.But all the more so, if our father indeed had a legacy that is part of our country’s history..Like Nazir.!